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Chromebooks outsold Macbooks in US for Q1 2016 – IDC

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Chromebook 14

23 May 2016

More personal computers powered by Google’s Chrome OS shipped in the US during the first quarter than those running Apple’s OS X in the same period, according to analyst firm IDC.

“Chrome PCs overall, including Chrome desktop units like the Chromebox, out-shipped all Apple personal computers, desktop plus notebook, in the US for Q1,” said analyst Jay Chou.

Chromebooks, the inexpensive notebooks that run Chrome OS, also out-shipped Apple’s MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks in the US. The first-quarter battle wasn’t even close, according to the notebook-only shipment numbers Chou provided.

Apple shipped an estimated 1.17 million Mac notebooks in the US during the first three months of 2016; IDC said 1.6 million Chrome OS notebooks shipped in the same span.

In other words, 37% more Chromebooks shipped than Mac notebooks.

IDC’s shipment data for Chrome OS and OS X systems were estimates generated using information from vendors and Asian component suppliers. Google, which developed Chrome OS, does not reveal shipment numbers: Most Chromebooks originate from third party OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), including Acer, Asus, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. And although Apple disclosed global Mac sales in its 26 April earnings call with Wall Street, it did not break down that figure by geographic region.

That IDC’s numbers were estimates only was clear when comparing the research firm’s forecast to Apple’s stated sales for the first quarter. Prior to 26 April – when Apple said it had sold 4.03 million Macs worldwide – IDC had projected global Mac shipments at 4.47 million, or about 10% too high.

Meanwhile, Mac sales contracted by 12% in the first quarter when compared to the same period in 2015, the second largest decline in nine years. The Mac average selling price in the first quarter was $1,266, four times as much as the average price of 30 different Chrome OS personal computers Google listed on its website.

IDG News Service

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